Roadside rival for NRMA

The same mechanics who fix Ferraris will be rescuing ordinary motorists from a breakdown from the middle of next week.

The Motor Traders' Association is about to launch the most serious competitor yet to NRMA road service.

MTA Assist, as it will be called, has been formed as part of an alliance between the MTA and breakdown service companies that represent leading brands such as Saab, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Subaru, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati.

MTA Assist packages will cost between $69 and $118 annually with no sign-up fee. The scheme hopes to attract 200,000 subscribers in its first 12 months and has 250 vans ready to operate across NSW.

NRMA packages range from $67.50 to $140 a year, plus a $44 joining fee. The association has about 2 million members, 400 patrolmen and 600 contractors across NSW and answered about 2 million calls for roadside help last year in NSW and the ACT.

The MTA was formed in 1912 to represent car dealers and repairers, but this is its first foray into this area of service. The NRMA was formed in 1920 and its road service started in 1924.

"We've been doing roadside assistance for the last four years in markets that the NRMA wouldn't touch, such as heavy vehicles," said a spokesman for the MTA Assist scheme, Matt Mills. Under its present policy, the NRMA's road service coverage does not include vehicles over 2.5 tonnes, which includes many popular four-wheel-drives.

"We have been encouraged by MTA members to branch out into road service because of the waning service from the NRMA and complaints of [rising and] fluctuating prices," Mr Mills said.

He said the response time for the breakdown service company that will be representing MTA Assist is, on average, 36 minutes, and mechanics answer the phone.

A 1300 number will be launched next Wednesday and, from March 1, motorists will be able to join at any one of 3500 MTA-affiliated car dealers or repairers. It is scheduled to go national over the coming months, but details have yet to be finalised.